Railcar Heating Assembly

ABSTRACT

A railcar comprises a tank coupled to a heating assembly. The heating assembly is configured to increase the temperature of the interior of the tank when a heating agent is pumped through the heating assembly. The heating assembly includes a first side coil assembly and a head coil assembly. The first side coil assembly includes a first set of pipelines that longitudinally extends along a side of the tank. The heating assembly includes a second set of pipelines that longitudinally covers at least a portion of the head of the tank.

RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/226,397 filed Jul. 28, 2021 and titled “RAILCAR HEATING ASSEMBLY,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to railcars and, more particularly, to a railcar heating assembly.

BACKGROUND

Railroad tank cars transport bulk liquids such as oil or ethanol. Many tank railcars are not insulated but even for those that are, the temperature of the commodity carried by these tank railcars may change between loading, shipping, and unloading. Based on the ambient temperature that the tank railcars are subject to during loading, shipping, and unloading, as well as duration of exposure, the commodity's temperature may vary.

Some commodities flow easier at a higher temperature. Heating coils are used to increase the commodity's temperature. Heating coils are coupled to the exterior body of the tank railcars. In some cases, the heating coils may be required to get the commodity to flow at all.

SUMMARY

To address the foregoing problems, various embodiments are disclosed herein for providing a heating assembly for tank railcars. Heating assembly is used to distribute heat to the body of the tank, and thus to raise the temperature of the commodity carried by the tank. This disclosure contemplates an unconventional heating assembly for tank railcars. The heating assembly provides additional footage of heating per tank by covering at least a portion of one or both heads of the tank, and thus providing more efficient heat distribution to these areas.

Certain embodiments may provide one or more technical advantages. In some embodiments, the heating assembly improves the current heating systems for tank railcars by providing more efficient heat distribution to the commodity at the ends of the tank railcars. This improves the overall heat transfer coefficient throughout the body of the tanks, and thus reduces unloading time. Furthermore, the heating assembly provides additional heat to the ends of the tanks, which eliminates locations where the commodity heels usually develop. Thus, cleaning time is reduced due to less or no commodity residual at the ends of the tanks.

In some embodiments, the heating assembly improves the expected lifetime of the tank railcars because using the heating assembly, the commodity's temperature increases at both ends of the tank and the commodity can be unloaded easily. Thus, the commodity does not remain solidified at the ends of the tank and does not cause corrosion to the body of the tank.

In some cases, the heating assembly may not pass through draft sills of the tank railcars, thereby improving the structural integrity of the tank railcars. The heating assembly may provide a more complete evacuation of the commodity without manual intervention, thereby reducing labor during unloading.

Several embodiments are elaborated on in this disclosure. In accordance with a particular embodiment, a railcar includes a tank and a heating assembly. The heating assembly is coupled to the tank. The heating assembly is configured to increase the temperature of the interior of the tank when a heating agent is pumped through the heating assembly. The heating assembly includes a first side coil assembly and a head coil assembly. The first side coil assembly includes a first set of pipelines coupled to a first side of the tank, where the first set of pipelines longitudinally extends along the first side of the tank. The head coil assembly includes a second set of pipelines coupled to the head of the tank, where the second set of pipelines longitudinally covers at least a portion of the head of the tank.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include some, all, or none of these advantages. These advantages and other features will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a railcar;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of a heating assembly for a tank railcar;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a first configuration of a heating assembly coupled to a tank head;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a second configuration of a heating assembly coupled to a tank head; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a third configuration of a heating assembly coupled to a tank head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a railcar 110. The railcar 110 includes a tank 120.

Tank 120 is a railroad car tank designed to transport commodities, such as heavy crude oil, vegetable oil, caustic soda, molten sulfur, corn syrup, or asphalt. The tank 120 may be pressurized or non-pressurized, insulated or non-insulated, and may be designed for single or multiple commodities. The tank 120 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as carbon steel, aluminum alloy, high alloy steel, nickel plate steel, or other metal alloys. The interior lining of tank 120 may comprise stainless steel, glass, plastic or any material compatible with the tank contents. The contents of tank 120 comprise the commodity for transport.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of a heating assembly 122 coupled to a tank 120 of a railcar 110 of FIG. 1 . The tank 120 is coupled to the underframe of the railcar 110 by bolsters 140 a and 140 b.

The interior temperature of the tank 120 may be adjusted by the heating assembly 122. When the tank 120 is ready to be unloaded, high temperature fluid, such as steam or oil is circulated through the heating assembly 122 that comprises heating coil assemblies. Heat is transferred from the heating assembly 122 to the body of the tank 120, as the heating medium has contact with the tank 120. This heat is transferred to the commodity carried by the tank 120. As the commodity's temperature increases, it may flow more quickly and easily from the tank 120.

Existing heating coils are located along the sides of the tank 120, extending longitudinally along the length of the tank 120. This limits the amount of heat that can be applied to the commodity at the ends of the tank 120 to reach the desired temperature because the ends of the tank 120 do not have heating coils.

In some cases, this causes a longer unloading and commodity evacuation time, because the heat is not distributed to the commodity at either ends of the tank 120.

In some cases, the commodity gets solidified at either ends of the tank 120, becomes difficult to unload, and gets coagulated over time. This makes loading the same or a different commodity difficult during the next shipping or refill. Furthermore, this causes corrosion on the interior body of the tank 120, and thus reduces the lifetime of the tank 120.

Commodities staying solidified at the ends of the tank 120 during unloading is an unresolved problem in the industry. This is commonly referred to as “heels” in the tanks 120. Commodities with higher liquid phase temperature are more susceptible to larger heels. However, all commodities deal with heels in one or both heads of the tanks 120 due to difficulty of applying enough heat to either ends of the tanks 120. In some cases, the commodity carried by the tank 120 may coagulate at one or both ends of the tank 120 due to low temperature. If the temperature of the commodity at one or both ends of the tank 120 is not adjusted, unloading the commodity at one or both ends of the tank 120 will be troublesome. The heating assembly 122 is configured to distribute heat to the commodity carried by the tank 120, and thus increase the temperature of the commodity.

Certain embodiments may provide one or more technical advantages. In some embodiments, the heating assembly 122 improves the current heating systems for tank railcars 110 by providing more efficient heat distribution to the commodity at the ends of the tank railcars 110. This improves the overall heat transfer coefficient throughout the body of the tanks 120, and thus reduces unloading time. Furthermore, the heating assembly provides additional heat to the ends of the tanks 120, which eliminates locations where the commodity heels usually develop. Thus, cleaning time is reduced due to less or no commodity residual at the ends of the tanks 120.

In some embodiments, the heating assembly 122 improves the expected lifetime of the tank railcars 110; because, using the heating assembly 122, the commodity's temperature increases at both ends of the tank 120 and the commodity can be unloaded easily. Thus, the commodity does not remain solidified at the ends of the tank 120 and does not cause corrosion to the body of the tank 120.

In some cases, the heating assembly may not pass through thought draft sills of the tank railcars 110, thereby improving the structural integrity of the tank railcars 110. The heating assembly 122 may provide a more complete evacuation of the commodity without manual intervention, thereby and thus reducing labor during unloading.

A heating agent is run through the heating assembly 122 that causes the temperature of the components of the heating assembly 122 to rise. The heating agent may be steam, heated oil, among other suitable heating agents. The heating agent is provided through the heating assembly 122, such as being pumped by a pumping system (not illustrated). Since the heating assembly 122 is coupled to the tank 120, the heating assembly 122 transfers the heat generated from the heating agent to the body of the tank 120, and thus to the commodity of the tank 120. In this manner, by running the heating agent through the heating assembly 122, any solidified commodity inside the tank 120 may be liquified. This causes easier unloading of the liquified commodity and reduces unloading time. In addition, it provides more safety to technicians during the unloading process.

In particular embodiments, the heating assembly 122 covers at least a portion of the first head 104 and/or second head 108 of the tank 120, thereby adding additional footage of heating per tank 120 and improving the overall heat transfer coefficient.

The heating assembly 122 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as carbon steel, aluminum alloy, high alloy steel, nickel plate steel, or other metal alloys. The heating assembly 122 is coupled to the tank 120 by any suitable method, such as bolting, welding, and the like.

In one embodiment, the heating assembly 122 comprises a first side coil assembly 124 and the head coil assembly 128. In some embodiments, the heating assembly 122 may further comprise similar coil assemblies on the other sides of the tank 120 (not shown).

The components of the heating assembly 122 may have any suitable configuration to allow heat distribution to the interior of the tank 120 and cover at least a portion of the circumference around the tank 120. The components of the heating assembly 122 may at least cover a portion on the first side 102, a first head 104, second side 106, and a second head 108 of the tank 120. The components of the heating assembly 122 may at least cover a portion under the sides near the bottom and/or over the sides neat the top. The components of the heating assembly 122 may at least cover a portion below the centerline, and/or above the centerline on the body of the tank 120 on either side and/or the either ends.

Any combination of the components of the heating assembly 122 may be coupled to one another or be independent.

The first side coil assembly 124 comprises a first set of coil pipelines 126. The first set of coil pipelines 126 may longitudinally extend along the body of the tank 120 on the first side 102. For example, the first side coil assembly 124 covers at least a portion of the circumference on the body of the tank 120 between the bolsters 140 a and 140 b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first coil pipeline assembly 124 is arranged in a serpentine configuration. In other embodiments, the first pipeline assembly 124 may be arranged in any other configuration.

Each coil pipeline 126 may be shaped as an half-oval or any other suitable shape. Each coil pipeline 126 may have any suitable width, for example, from four inches to twelve inches. The distance between two adjacent coil pipelines 126 may be any suitable value, for example, from one inch to ten inches. Each coil pipeline 126 may have a slope extending along the body of the tank 120 to allow movement of the heating agent running through the coil pipelines 126.

In the illustrated embodiment, six coil pipelines 126 on the first side 102 are shown. In other embodiments, the set of coil pipelines 126 may include any suitable number of coil pipelines 126, such as four, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen, etc.

The number of coil pipelines 126 may vary based on the desired temperature of the commodity and the type of the commodity. For example, more coil pipelines 126 may be implemented to distribute more heat to the commodity to liquify the commodity if the commodity has a higher liquid phase temperature.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first side coil assembly 124 is coupled to a portion of the body of the tank 120 below the centerline of the tank 120. In some embodiments, the first side coil assembly 124 may be coupled to, and cover at least a portion of, the circumference above the centerline of the tank 120.

The head coil assembly 128 comprises a second set of coil pipelines 130. The second set of coil pipelines 130 may cover at least a portion of the circumference on the head 104 of the tank 120.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second set of coil pipelines 130 is arranged in a serpentine configuration. In other embodiments, the second set of coil pipelines 130 may be arranged in any other configuration, such as those described in FIGS. 3-5 . In certain embodiments, the first set of coil pipelines 126 may be arranged in a first serpentine configuration, and the second set of coil pipelines 130 may be arranged in a second serpentine configuration. In certain embodiments, the first serpentine configuration may be same as the second serpentine configuration. In certain embodiments, the first serpentine configuration may be different from the second serpentine configuration. The head coil assembly 128 and some of its various exemplary configurations are described in more detail in FIGS. 3-5 .

In some embodiments, the first side coil assembly 124 may be coupled to the head coil assembly 128 such that at least one coil pipeline 126 is run through a cut-out of the bolster 140 a connecting to at least one coil pipeline 130. In such embodiments, the bolster 140 a may be formed to have one or more cut-outs to allow passing one or more coil pipelines 126 and/or 130 between the first side coil assembly 124 and head coil assembly 128.

In some embodiments, the first side coil assembly 124 may be coupled to the head coil assembly 128 such that at least one coil pipeline 126 is run around the bolster 140 a connecting to at least one coil pipeline 130.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first side coil assembly 124 is coupled to the head coil assembly 128 such that the top coil pipeline 126 extends from the first side coil assembly 124 and joins or connects to the top coil pipeline 130. The top coil pipeline 126 and the top coil pipeline 130 may be a continuous pipeline bent with an angle between the first side 102 and head 104.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a first configuration of the head coil assembly 128. In the illustrated embodiment, the head coil assembly 128 is coupled to a portion of the body of the tank 120 below the centerline of the tank 120. In some embodiments, the head coil assembly 128 may be coupled to and cover at least a portion of the circumference above the centerline of the tank 120.

As described in FIG. 2 , the head coil assembly 128 comprises the set of coil pipelines 130. Each coil pipeline 130 may be shaped as a half-oval or any other suitable shape. Each coil pipeline 130 may have any suitable width, for example, from four inches to twelve inches. The distance between two adjacent coil pipelines 130 may be any suitable value, for example, from one inch to ten inches. Each coil pipeline 130 may have a slope extending along the width of the tank 120 to allow movement of the heating agent running through the coil pipelines 130.

In the illustrated embodiment, four coil pipelines 130 on the head 104 of the tank 120 are shown. In other embodiments, the set of coil pipelines 130 may include any suitable number of coil pipelines 130, such as six, eight, ten, etc.

The number of coil pipelines 130 may vary based on the desired temperature of the commodity carried by the tank 120 and the type of the commodity. For example, more coil pipelines 130 may be implemented to distribute more heat to the commodity to liquify the commodity if the commodity has a higher liquid phase temperature.

In the illustrated embodiment, the head coil assembly 128 is coupled to the first side coil assembly 124, such that the top coil pipeline 130 a is connected to the top coil pipeline 126 of the first side coil assembly 124. In this embodiment, the shared coil pipeline 130 a is positioned around the bolster 140 a.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a second configuration of the head coil assembly 128. In the illustrated embodiment, the coil pipelines 130 meet at a point 410. The point 410 may be at any location on the head 104, such as at the center of the circumference of the head 104. The distance between two adjacent coil pipeline 130 may be any suitable value, for example, from one inch to ten inches.

The heating agent may circulate through any of the coil pipelines 130 in any direction. For example, any of the coil pipelines 130 a to 130 d may allow incoming and/or outgoing flow of the heating agent.

For example, the heating agent may flow into the coil pipeline 130 a from a coil pipeline 126 of the first side coil assembly 124, and flow out from the other coil pipelines 130 b, 130 c, and 130 d.

In another example, the heating agent may flow into the coil pipeline 130 b from a coil pipeline 126 of the first side coil assembly 124, and flow out from the other coil pipelines 130 a, 130 c, and 130 d.

In another example, the heating agent may flow into the coil pipeline 130 d from a coil pipeline of the second side coil assembly extending along the side of the tank 120 (not shown), and flow out from the other coil pipelines 130 a, 130 b, and 130 c.

In the illustrated embodiment, coil pipeline 130 a is connected to a first coil pipeline 126 of the first side coil assembly 124, and coil pipeline 130 b is connected to a second coil pipeline 126, coil pipeline 130 c is connected to a first coil pipeline of the second side coil assembly extending along the side of the tank 120 (not shown), and coil pipeline 130 d is connected to a second coil pipeline extending along the side of the tank 120 (not shown). The coil pipelines 130 b and 130 c are run through two cut-outs in the bolster 140 a, respectively, and coil pipelines 130 a and 130 d are run around the bolster 140 a, respectively.

In other embodiments, any number of coil pipelines 130 may be connected to the coil pipelines 126 of the first side coil assembly 124 and/or coil pipelines of the second side coil assembly extending along the side of the tank 120 (not shown).

In the illustrated embodiment, four coil pipelines 130 a to 130 d are shown. In other embodiments, any number of coil pipelines 130 may be implemented for a desired heat distribution to the interior of the tank 120.

FIG. 5 . illustrates an embodiment of a third configuration of the head coil assembly 128. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown by the arrows, the heating agent flows into the coil pipeline 130 a from a first coil pipeline 126 of the first side coil assembly 124, through the other coil pipelines 130 b to 130 e, and flows out to a second coil pipeline 126.

In other embodiments, the heating agent may flow through the coil pipelines 130 in any direction between the head 104 and one or both of the first side 102 and the second side 106. Any combination of coil pipelines 130 may meet at one or more points, such as point 410.

In any of the configurations of the head coil assembly 128 described in FIGS. 3-5 , the number of coil pipelines 130 may vary based on the desired temperature of the interior of the tank 120 and the type of the commodity. For example, more coil pipelines 130 may be implemented to distribute more heat to the commodity to liquify the commodity if the commodity has a higher liquid phase temperature.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated into another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim. 

1. A railcar comprising: a tank; and a heating assembly coupled to the tank, wherein the heating assembly is configured to increase the temperature of the interior of the tank when a heating agent is provided through the heating assembly, wherein the heating assembly comprises: a first side coil assembly comprising a first set of pipelines coupled to a first side of the tank, wherein the first set of pipelines longitudinally extends along the first side of the tank; and a head coil assembly comprising a second set of pipelines coupled to the head of the tank, wherein the second set of pipelines longitudinally covers at least a portion of the head of the tank.
 2. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the heating assembly further comprises a second side coil assembly comprising a third set of pipelines coupled to a second side of the tank, wherein the third set of pipelines longitudinally extends along the second side of the tank.
 3. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the first side coil assembly is coupled to the head coil assembly such that at least one pipeline of the first side coil assembly is run through a cut-out of a bolster of the tank, and connected to at least one pipeline of the head coil assembly.
 4. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the first side coil assembly is coupled to the head coil assembly such that at least one pipeline of the first side coil assembly is run around a bolster of the tank, and connected to at least one pipeline of the head coil assembly.
 5. The railcar of claim 1, wherein: the first set of pipelines are arranged in a first serpentine configuration, and the second set of pipelines are arranged in a second serpentine configuration.
 6. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the first side coil assembly covers at least a portion of the first side above a centerline of the tank.
 7. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the first side coil assembly covers at least a portion of the first side below a centerline of the tank.
 8. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the head coil assembly covers at least a portion of the head above a centerline of the tank.
 9. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the head coil assembly covers at least a portion of the head below a centerline of the tank.
 10. The railcar of claim 1, wherein the heating agent comprises steam or crude oil.
 11. A heating assembly for a railcar, comprising: a first side coil assembly comprising a first set of pipelines coupled to a first side of a tank of the railcar, wherein the first set of pipelines longitudinally extends along the first side of the tank; and a head coil assembly comprising a second set of pipelines coupled to the head of the tank, wherein the second set of pipelines longitudinally covers at least a portion of the head of the tank, wherein the heating assembly is configured to increase the temperature of the interior of the tank when a heating agent is provided through the heating assembly.
 12. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the heating assembly further comprises a second side coil assembly comprising a third set of pipelines coupled to a second side of the tank, wherein the third set of pipelines longitudinally extends along the second side of the tank.
 13. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the first side coil assembly is coupled to the head coil assembly such that at least one pipeline of the first side coil assembly is run through a cut-out of a bolster of the tank, and connected to at least one pipeline of the head coil assembly.
 14. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the first side coil assembly is coupled to the head coil assembly such that at least one pipeline of the first side coil assembly is run around a bolster of the tank, and connected to at least one pipeline of the head coil assembly.
 15. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein: the first set of pipelines are arranged in a first serpentine configuration, and the second set of pipelines are arranged in a second serpentine configuration.
 16. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the first side coil assembly covers at least a portion of the first side above a centerline of the tank.
 17. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the first side coil assembly covers at least a portion of the first side below a centerline of the tank.
 18. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the head coil assembly covers at least a portion of the head above a centerline of the tank.
 19. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the head coil assembly covers at least a portion of the head below a centerline of the tank.
 20. The heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the heating agent comprises steam or crude oil. 